The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-04
REMARKABLE VOYAGE.
Valuable Historical Document Brought to
Light in Roxbury, Mass.
Rostoo Herald I

Light in Roxbury, Mass
Boston HERALD
An obscure and yet important part OF
American history is at length cleared up
by a document furnished by resident of
Roxbury. 1t is the Journal Of Captain
Robert Haswell, who sailed on the expedi-
ton of exploration and adventure that
first carried the flag of the United States
into the Northern Pacific. OF this voyage,
whose ultimate results have been so impor-
tant to our nation, little hitherto has been
known, for no other record has ever been
obtained, and this authentic narrative of
the first visit of an American vessel to the
far Northwest coast can hardly be too
highly priced by the historian.
Interest in that section had been excited
by the reports of the celebrated explorer,
Captain Cook, who had visited the coast in
search of q passage from the Pacific to the
Atlantic. Cook had found wealth of val
liable furs in possession of the Indians,
which they sold for the merest trifies.
Therefore, company of Boston merchants
fitted out two vessels to inaugurate the fur
trade. In one vessel, the Lady Washing
ton, Mr.. Haswel sailed as second mate.
This sloop, which was of but ninety tons,
struggled southwark in the face of stormy
seas, rounded the Horn, and at length
reached their destination.
The Indians at first were friendly, fur
nishing large quantities of berries and
crabs without payment. They readily ex-
changed their skins tor iron and copper
implements and received trifiug presents
with every demonstration of Joy. While
waiting for the tide Mr.. Haswell went
ashore with number of men for the bene-
fit of his health and to secure load of
grass and shrubs for the vessels live stock.
The Indians received them in the most
friendly manner, inviting them to their
dwellings, and amusing them with a war
dance and an exhibition of their skill with
arrows and spears. Subsequently Mr..
Hasweu and another officer went to little
distance IN search of CLAIMS, leaving
the men cutting grass near the
boat. While thus engaged an In
dian seized a cutlass, which the
captains servant had left sticking in the
sand, and ran away With it, closely pur-
sued by the boy. Mr.. Haswell, accom-
panied by two others, went in search of
the boy, and found that he had caught the
thief They were surrounded by Indians,
who at once killed the boy and attacked the
three Americans. out OF the desperate
strait they fought their way, firing with
and at length succeeded in reaching the
shore and wading to the boat, although
seriously wounded. The savages pursued
in canoes but the boat succeeded in reach
ing the ship, and few discharges of the
swivel-gun drove the Indians off. In COM
memoration of this attack the place was
called ''Murderers Harbor.'
The sloop then proceeded northward,
and, concerning its discoveries, Mr.. Has
we'll wrote: "I am of opinion that the
straits of Juan de Fuca exist, though Cap
tain Cook positively asserts that they do
not for, in the very latitude where they are
said to lie. the coast takes bend, which
very probably may be the entrance"
AS they proceeded northward, they dis
covered frequent indications OF other YES
sells being on the coast, and at length fell
in with two English ships, under the COM
mand of Captain Meares. While with the
English, no trading could be done, as the
| Indians declined all communication. This
| Mr.. Haswell states, was in consequence OF
| Meares' custom of taking the natives
property by force and giving in payment
| what trihes he chose, freely using his mus
kets to prevent their escaping his clutches.
Mr.. Haswell's documents give important
| light upon the complications that arose on
the coast between the representatives of the
| English and Spanish nations. These are oil
| the greater historic value, coming as they
| do from a disinterested witness OF the
| difficulty which so nearly plunged those
two EuTopern nations into war.
Mr.. HaswelPs narrative comes to an a5
i rupt termination while on the coast; butt
| is known that he sailed westward to ChinE
on his vessel, which, after 'disposlng of it
furs there, took cargo of tea and con
tinued on to Boston, being the first shiI
to circumnavigate the globe unde
the United States flag. History, now
| ever, is further indebted to him il
its account Of Northwestern exploration
for log kept by him on second voyage
TO the Northern Pacific. This log begins OF
the 18th OF August, 1901, just before b
resNhed Queen Charlotte Island. His yes
sci wintered on thA coast. sh5 tie Time wa
passed in constructing small sloop from
material brought from Boston. This wa
the second vessel built on the coast. Worl
was carried on as rapidly as the short, darl
days would permit. There was plenty o
hard work in telling trees and saving
| planks. The sloop was launched by tn
end of winter, and was christened the AID
venture. Mr.. Haswell was placed in com
mand, and with the opening of spring b.
| sailed out to secure the harvest of fUrs,